Chaplin - BFI DVDs

[Maurice Leakey]

We must all have some Charlie Chaplin films in our collection. Many being copies of copies, of copies, of copies, etc., resulting in the loss of grey tones, and giving what is termed a "soot & whitewash" effect.

Probably the best quality prints are on Pathescope's 9.5mm, but unfortunately they are mainly heavily cut and edited, and Pathescope changed most of the titles. For instance, there are two titles "Waiter" and "Rolling Around", which, if cleverly re-edited by the owner can result in almost a complete copy of "The Rink".

I recently bought three DVDs from the BFI collection in which the very best 35mm material has been used in their restoration of the early Chaplin films. Each set has a fully descriptive booklet.

"Chaplin At Keystone" is a four disc set with 33 films.
"Charlie Chaplin - The Essanay Comedies" is a two disc set with 16 films
"Charlie Chaplin - The Mutual Comedies" is a two disc set with 12 films.

Highly recommended


Maurice

[Ali Hipperson]

Hi Maurice.

I have all three of those and I bought them from the small but very good book shop inside the NFT on the Southbank in London when I was a member there until last year.

I agree, they are all excellent quality and as the film's of Chaplin are by far the most I have of any one artist in my collection of Super and Standard 8mm; 9.5mm; and 16mm, I think they compliment my 'reel' film collection perfectly.

On this same subject, I can also recommend a box-set of DvDs by Park Circus/Mk2 which has a collection of fully restored Chaplin features from The Kid through to A King In New York. It also has The Chaplin Revue; some of his short films; and another seven categories of 'extras' all included! I bought this item a few years back from the biggest HMV shop on Oxford Street (long before it became a Sports Direct shop 🙄) for £50! For those interested, it might still be available online or on eBay.

Ali.

[Maurice Leakey]

Thank you, Ali, for your kind comments.

With regard to the box set that you purchased a "few years ago", here is a link to such a current collection which may be an updated set of 12 discs as they are not by Park Circus/Mk2. Note that they are available on DVD or Blu-ray. A fine set of features are on these sets.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Charlie-Cha...s%2C146&sr=1-2


Maurice

[Ali Hipperson]

Hi Maurice and many thanks for the link - it looks good!

Ali.

[Graham Ritchie]

My understanding is that the UK, DVD or Blu-ray of "The Kid" are the shorter 53 minute versions. Years ago I bought from the US the longer original 63 minute version from "Image Entertainment", both picture and sound quality is excellent, taken from digital mastering of the original fine grains held in Charles Chaplin's personal archives. This release came out long ago, but if you are after the 63 minute version I would look out for a copy.

[Graham Ritchie]